Operations

Shake Shack breaks into Top 50 US restaurants by consumer spending

Photo: Shake Shack

March 27, 2026

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Shake Shack has entered the top 50 U.S. restaurant brands as measured by total consumer spending, according to Circana's 2026 Definitive U.S. Restaurant Ranking Report. The report, which tracks consumer spending trends and brand performance throughout 2025, reveals a resilient industry where Americans spent an average of $1 million per minute.

The $1.41B threshold

Breaking into the top 50 is no small feat. According to Circana, a brand must surpass $1.41 billion in annual consumer spending to qualify. While the top 50 chains represent only 24% of all restaurant locations in the country, they command a massive 61% of total industry spending.

The data shows that 99.7% of U.S. adults visited at least one of these top 50 chains in 2025.

"Restaurant operators proved they are highly adaptable and innovative in navigating the widespread uncertainty of 2025," David Portalatin, Circana senior vice president and food industry adviser, said in a company press release. "Those who maintain that forward-thinking, resilient mindset in 2026 will continue to find success."

Big moves and market leaders

While Shake Shack made its first appearance, other brands saw significant shifts in the rankings:

Chili's Momentum: Chili's jumped eight spots over the previous year, becoming the largest casual dining chain in the U.S.
The Big Three: McDonald's, Starbucks and Chick-fil-A continue to dominate the landscape. These three brands alone generated more than $107 billion, accounting for 32% of the total spending within the top 50.
Sector Breakdown: The list remains dominated by QSRs, which claim 35 of the 50 spots. Casual dining holds 10 spots, while five midscale chains round out the rankings.

Spending trends

Total consumer spending at restaurants grew by 3% year-over-year in 2025. This growth persisted despite a year characterized by economic fluctuations and shifting consumer habits.

The report, now in its eighth edition, utilizes Circana's CREST data and ReCount restaurant census to provide a comprehensive look at the $330 billion-plus spent at the nation's leading chains.